S4 E1: Welcome to 2024 and Season 4 of Rebecca's Reading Room Podcast!

I am thrilled to embark on this new year of possibilities and opportunities for reading. Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey! Get ready for a season filled with book discussions, poetry readings, and literary inspiration. Stay tuned for my upcoming episodes that explore a diverse range of genres and delve into the fascinating world of literature. Whether you're a bookworm, bibliophile, or simply love a good story, there's something for everyone in Season 4 of Rebecca's Reading Room Podcast. 

My grand project for 2024 is reading Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Faust is a timeless classic that offers a rich tapestry of philosophical and literary themes. The depth and complexity of Goethe's masterpiece make it a compelling choice for a year-long exploration. I look forward to hearing about your insights and reflections as you progress through your 2024 literary journey. 

Many thanks for your company on Rebecca's Reading Room!

Happy reading!

Rebecca


Music by David Celeste “Wake Up With Me” Epidemic Sound
⁠https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/lNvPapTBle/

S4 E1: Welcome to 2024 and Season 4 of Rebecca's Reading Room Podcast!

Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist, widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland. He was born on January 25, 1759, and passed away on July 21, 1796. Burns is celebrated for his lyrical poetry and use of the Scots language. His works commonly address universal themes such as love and nature, as well as more political and social issues. Robert Burns’s influence extends beyond Scotland, and he is recognized globally for his literary contributions.

Robert Burns’s famous poem “Address to a Haggis” is an integral part of Burns Night, a celebration of the Scottish poet’s life and works. The poem praises the haggis, a traditional Scottish dish, with great enthusiasm and is often recited before the haggis is ceremonially sliced open.

Address to a Haggis
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o’ the puddin’-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o’ a grace
As lang’s my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o’ need,
While thro’ your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An’ cut you up wi’ ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin’, rich!
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an’ strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
‘Bethankit’ hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad make her spew
Wi’ perfect sconner,
Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view
On sic a dinner?
Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither’d rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro’ bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He’ll make it whissle;
An’ legs an’ arms, an’ heads will sned,
Like taps o’ thrissle.
Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o’ fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer,
Gie her a Haggis


Cheers to Robert Burns and the rich tapestry of Scottish heritage!


Photography Rebecca Budd
Poetry Recitation by Thomas Budd
Music by Megan Wolford “Auld Lang Syne” (Piano Version) #EpidemicSound
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/Te9OqcYjzc/

Location: Burns Cottage and Burns Monument and Memorial Gardens, Ayrshire, Scotland

S4 E2 Celebrating Robert Burns with The Address to a Haggis

S6 E2: Celebrating Robert Burns with Address to A Haggis

Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. Burns is best known for his poetry written in the Scots language, with works such as “Auld Lang Syne,” “Address to a Haggis,” and “Tam O’ Shanter.” His poetry often reflects themes of love, nature, and Scotland’s cultural heritage.

Robert Burns’ influence on Scottish literature and culture is profound, and his work continues to be revered and celebrated through events like Burns Suppers, which are held annually around the world to commemorate his life and literary contribution.

Haggis holds a significant place at a Burns Supper due to its historical and cultural connections to Robert Burns and Scotland. The traditional Scottish dish, immortalized in Burns’ poem “Address to a Haggis,” is celebrated as a symbol of Scottish heritage and a tribute to the poet’s legacy. Its inclusion in the supper reflects the deep appreciation for Burns’ work and the rich tapestry of Scottish culture and traditions. The ritual of addressing and consuming the haggis is a poignant and festive way to honor the impact of Robert Burns on Scottish literature and identity.

Come join me to celebrate Robert Burns with his iconic “Address to a Haggis”! The vivid imagery and spirited language invite us to join in the festivities of a Burns Supper and pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Scotland’s beloved national poet.

Cheers to Robert Burns and the rich tapestry of Scottish heritage!

Address to a Haggis
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o’ the puddin’-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o’ a grace
As lang’s my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o’ need,
While thro’ your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An’ cut you up wi’ ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin’, rich!

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an’ strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
‘Bethankit’ hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad make her spew
Wi’ perfect sconner,
Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view
On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither’d rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro’ bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He’ll make it whissle;
An’ legs an’ arms, an’ heads will sned,
Like taps o’ thrissle.

Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o’ fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer,
Gie her a Haggis

S6 E2: Celebrating Robert Burns with Address to A Haggis

S4 E3 After the Winter Rain by Ina Coolbrith

After the Winter Rain
by Ina Coolbrith
After the winter rain, 
   Sing, robin! Sing, swallow!
Grasses are in the lane, 
   Buds and flowers will follow.

Woods shall ring, blithe and gay,
   With bird-trill and twitter,
Though the skies weep to-day, 
   And the winds are bitter. 

Though deep call unto deep
   As calls the thunder, 
And white the billows leap
   The tempest under;

Softly the waves shall come
   Up the long, bright beaches, 
With dainty, flowers of foam
   And tenderest speeches…

After the wintry pain, 
   And the long, long sorrow, 
Sing, heart!—for thee again
   Joy comes with the morrow.

This poem is in the public domain.

After the winter rain, the world is transformed. The sky is a bright blue, the sun is shining, and the air is fresh and crisp. The trees are glistening with raindrops, and the grass is a vibrant green. Everywhere there is a feeling of new life and hope. The birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming. The world is alive and vibrant, and it is a beautiful sight to behold.
Ina Coolbrith’s poem captures this moment perfectly, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and beauty to be found.
Ina Coolbrith was a poet, librarian, and literary figure in California during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was the first California Poet Laureate, and was the first poet laureate of any U.S. state. Coolbrith was born in Nauvoo, Illinois in 1841 and moved to California in 1851. She was a prolific writer, publishing her first book of poetry at the age of 17.

Ina Coolbrith was a key figure in the literary and cultural life of San Francisco and was a mentor to many young writers, including Jack London and Isadora Duncan. She was also a member of the Bohemian Club and the Saturday Club, two of the most prominent literary and cultural organizations in the area. Ina Coolbrith was an advocate for women’s rights and education, and was a leader in the early women’s suffrage movement in California. She died in 1928 at the age of 87.

“Were I to write what I know, the book would be too sensational to print, but were I to write what I think proper, it would be too dull to read.“ Ina Coolbrith



Photography & Recitation by Rebecca Budd

Music by More Than Family “Choir Hymn” EpidemicSound
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/zLlZB2Y3zt/

S4 E3 After the Winter Rain by Ina Coolbrith

S6 E3: Norman Orenstein on Composing, Producing and Recording Music

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.

Thank you for listening in.

I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I look forward to sharing this moment with you.

I am travelling virtually to Toronto, Ontario where the music scene is vibrant and diverse, from indie rock to hip-hop, jazz to electronic.  I am thrilled that Canadian musician, composer and producer, Norman Orenstein, has joined me today to discuss music and the creative process.

Norman is the President of NORMAN ORENSTEIN MUSIC INC. (NOM Inc.), specializing in music production and publishing. As a member of The Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), he brings over 20 years of experience in composing, arranging, and recording live musicians for feature films, television movies, and television series.

Norman is the controller of the NOM Music Library, where he negotiates with record companies, writers, and publishers to secure synchronization and master use licenses. His expertise in the industry has led him to be a panelist at prestigious events such as the North By Northeast (NXNE) Music Festival and the Worldwide Short Film Festival Symposium, where he shares his success stories and insights on the director-composer relationship in film and TV music.
With an extraordinary background in music composition and production, Norman continues to contribute his talents to the world of film and television, creating captivating music scores that enhance the storytelling experience.

Thank you for joining Norman and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  Norman's music is featured in the podcast. The introduction piece was entitled "Highliner. The piece featured in the closing comments was from Norman's score for the film "Kidnap Capital."
And a very special thank you Norman for sharing your insights, knowledge, and experience. It is an honour to showcase your music in our conversation. You have given us a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind your work.   I am inspired by your passion for music and storytelling.

Listeners, I invite you to meet up with Norman Orenstein on and his website ⁠Norman Orenstein Music⁠ to experience his amazing, unforgettable music.


I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation.
Thank you for joining Norman and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.
Until next time we meet, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures lead you.


Music by Norman Orenstein- ⁠⁠Norman Orenstein Music⁠⁠ (used with permission)

"Highliner"
"Kidnap Capital" Norman's Score from the film Kidnap Capital

S6 E3: Norman Orenstein on Composing, Producing and Recording Music

S4 E4: Happy Birthday Edna St. Vincent Millay

As the afternoon sun of February heralds the approach of spring and the forthcoming summer, it is a fitting day to commemorate the birthday of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Born on February 22nd, 1892, Millay’s enduring legacy as an American poet and champion of feminism continues to inspire and resonate with readers around the world. Her contributions to lyrical poetry and her unyielding dedication to exploring themes of love and the human experience are celebrated on this special day, reaffirming her enduring place in literary history.
Throughout her life, Millay made significant contributions as a celebrated feminist and a prominent figure in New York City during the Roaring Twenties and beyond. Her achievements include being the first woman and the second person to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923, an accolade she earned for her remarkable poem “Ballad of the Harp-Weaver.” 
In addition to her literary accomplishments, Millay was also known for her bohemian lifestyle and her outspokenness on social and political issues. She remains a significant figure in American literary history, revered for her contributions to poetry and her role in shaping the cultural landscape of her time.
Celebrate the Birthday of Edna St. Vincent Millay with me by reciting her poem “Afternoon on a Hill”
I will be the gladdest thing
  Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
    And not pick one.

I will look at cliffs and clouds
    With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
    And the grass rise.

And when lights begin to show
    Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
    And then start down!

Photography and Recitation by Rebecca Budd
Music by Rannar Sillard “Worlds Apart” #EpidemicSound
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/DfrxaRrTVW/

S4 E4: Happy Birthday Edna St. Vincent Millay

S6 E4:  Celebrating “Up Helly Aa” with Sarah McBurnie


January 30, 2024, the Last Tuesday of January. The fire festival of Up Helly Aa is happening. A huge torchlight procession of hundreds of Vikings is marching through the streets of Lerwick, carrying flaming torches and singing traditional Norse skalds.

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.

Thank you for listening in.

I am you host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

I have arrived in Lerwick, Shetland to meet up with my friend, Sarah McBurnie who was our guide on our 2018 Shetland adventure.  Up Hella Aa is happening.  Sarah has invited us to celebrate Shetland’s Norse heritage with her.   I have always wanted to attend Up Helly Aa, so join me for a Viking adventure that promises feasting, music, and dancing!

Photography by Rebecca Budd
Music by Epidemic Sound

Edgar Hopp "Phoenix Rising" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/IKHlHvgHSN/

Kikoru "Clouds Over Mountains" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/EbaDeotpAO/

S6 E4:  Celebrating “Up Helly Aa” with Sarah McBurnie

S6 E5: Elizabeth Gauffreau on the Art of Writing Short Stories

"I should have gone to see Mother sooner, I suppose, but her letters had been arriving with the same regularity as always, so I had no inkling that anything might be wrong. Truly, Mother’s letters were cheerful as ever.  She writes such lovely descriptions of the winter birds at the feeder outside the solarium." Elizabeth Gauffreau, A Morbid Craving

Welcome to Tea. Toast. & Trivia.
Thank you for listening in!

I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I look forward to sharing this moment with you. 

I am delighted and thrilled that my dear friend, writer and poet, Elizabeth Gauffreau, has come back to share her insights on the art of writing a short story.   We are once again bridging the 3897 kilometers, as the crow flies, between New Hampshire and Vancouver. 

Liz is a gifted writer who specializes in fiction and poetry that delves into the themes of family and place. With a bachelor’s degree in English/Writing from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in English/Fiction Writing from the University of New Hampshire, she has honed her skills and crafted a compelling body of work.

I have read Liz’s short story “A Morbid Craving”, published by Lamplit Underground, several times over the past weeks. Her ability to capture four points of view within a very complex narrative was riveting.  

It is time to put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation.

Thank you for joining Liz and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you Liz for sharing your insights and reading.  You continue to inspire me.

Listeners, you can meet up with Liz on her website  lizgauffreau.com, Substack, Amazon, and Goodreads You are only an internet click away from a place where stories dwell.

Until next time we meet, safe travel wherever your adventures lead you.
Music by Epidemic Sound:

David Celeste "The Heart" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/BNRLqsHty4/

Gavin Luke "Dream Corridor" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/eZm5S0GHOe/

S6 E5 Elisabeth Gauffeau on the Art of Writing Short Stories

S4 E5: Emily Carr "Baptism" from her autobiography “Growing Pains”

Welcome to my Reading Room! Thank you for listening in. 

I am your host Rebecca Budd and I look forward to sharing this moment with you.

Emily was a Canadian artist and writer inspired by the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Born in 1871, she was one of the first painters in Canada to adopt a Modernist and Post-Impressionist painting style. As a writer, Emily Carr was one of the earliest chroniclers of life in British Columbia. Along with the Group of Seven, she became a leading figure in Canadian modern art in the twentieth century. She spent the greater part of her life living and working in Victoria, where she struggled to receive critical acceptance.

In her biography, “Growing Pains” Emily Carr tells her life story growing up in British Columbia, of attending art schools in London, San Francisco, and Paris, and of her return home to Victoria British Columbia.

This podcast is the second in the series of readings from Growing Pains -The Autobiography of Emily Carr. Today, I will be reading Part One, Baptism.

Music by Epidemic Sound

Emily Rubye "Finding Rain" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/LcXQhHd2MT/

More than Family "Choir Hymn"  https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/zLlZB2Y3zt/

S4 E5 Emily Carr “Baptism” From Her Autobiography Growing Pains

S5 E1: Sarah & Rebecca on Poetry

Welcome to the Book Dialogue!
Thank you for listening in.
﻿
A few weeks ago, my sister, Rebecca, and I embarked on a memorable journey to the picturesque city of Victoria, B.C. The charming ambience and scenic beauty of this destination provided the perfect backdrop for heartfelt discussions on poetry. As we strolled through the quaint streets and soaked in the tranquil atmosphere, we found ourselves delving into the world of verse, sharing our favorite poems and reflecting on the power of words. Our enriching experience in Victoria, B.C. was truly elevated by the beauty of poetry intertwining with the beauty of our surroundings.
We invite you to join us on a sunny spring day to recite the poetry of Sara Teasdale and Emily Dickinson! Their evocative verses beautifully hold the essence of this special season.
Sarah
﻿
Music by Epidemic Sound
Gavin Luke "All That You Will Be" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/PbIHP0zsMX/

S5 E1 Sarah & Rebecca On Poetry

S6 E7: Mandy Henderson on the Poetry of Katherine Mansfield

The pleasure of all reading is doubled when one lives with another who shares the same books.”
Katherine Mansfield

Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia.

Thank you for listening in.

I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I look forward to sharing this moment with you.

Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923) was a highly acclaimed New Zealand writer and poet. Born in Wellington, New Zealand October 14, 1888, she is regarded as one of the most influential modernist short story writers of her time. Mansfield’s poetic sensibility and expert craftsmanship have secured her a lasting place in literary history. 

Katherine’s writings are known for their vivid imagery, introspective themes, and exploration of the complexities of human emotions. Her remarkable ability to capture the subtle nuances of everyday life and convey them through delicate and lyrical language sets her apart. Despite her untimely death at the age of 34, Mansfield’s legacy as a pioneering writer continues to resonate in the literary world.
Today, I am traveling to New Zealand to meet up with my blogger friend, Mandy Henderson to discuss the remarkable life and work of Katherine Mansfield.

I invite you to put the kettle on and join the conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia.

Thank you, Mandy, for sharing the life and poetry of Katherine Mansfield. 

As Katherine wrote many years ago, “The pleasure of all reading is doubled when one lives with another who shares the same books.”  
Today we have shared the pleasure of reading her poetry, together.
Dear listeners, thank you for joining Mandy and me on Tea Toast & Trivia and celebrating the life and work of Katherine Mansfield.

Music by Epidemic Sound:

Arthur Benson "Have You Tried the Key"
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/VXLAqxSdsg/

Yonder Dale "Benevolent"
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/shJ71NyU8V/

Johannes Bornlöf "Our Deepest Secrets (Scaled Down Version)"
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/R5ym9z47GU/

Claude Signet "Together Is Better"
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/gPLIAeQ0Cj/

S6 E7 Mandy Henderson On The Poetry Of Katherine Mansfield

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner 
Commercial Licence under #EpidemicSound

S4 E1: Welcome to 2024 and Season 4 of Rebecca's Reading Room Podcast!

Rebecca Budd aka Clanmother

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